Saturday, 23 January 2021

Early morning walk around Granta Park

Last week, on one of the few sunny days, Andy M took an early morning exercise walk around Granta Park. The wildlife seemed more relaxed than usual, possibly because there are fewer people working on site and walking around at the moment.

The first treat was a lovely view of a male dog Fox, relaxing in the sun in Hood's Wood, the floor of which was covered with emerging Snowdrop flowers. Another adult Fox with a youngster was seen behind Abington Hall. The willows along the river were showing the first hints of their lovely yellow bark. Following the recent high river levels, the meadows between the two churches had flooded, and in particular the meadow north of the river, where a new lake had appeared, complete with Mallard swimming around, and Pied Wagtail feeding along its edges.

Through Sluice Wood, the Alder and Hazel catkins showed up brightly in the sun, and Snowdrop and Aconite buds were evident, just waiting for a little more sun to burst open. Walking on through Lagden's Grove, the path was cross by flooding from the river, quite deep in places. In amongst the undergrowth, Redwing could be heard, shyly flitting away when approached.  Song Thrush and Great Tit were singing, setting up their territories for later in the spring. 

Heading back across around the very sodden cricket field, a number of Barnacle Goose were feeding, accompanied by a few gulls - both Black-headed Gull and the more unusual Common Gull.

Basking male Fox in Tom's Wood
Snowdrops on Tom's Wood
Lovely yellow bark of the willows, with flooding behind
Hood's meadow, only slightly flooded
Flooded meadows north of the river
River and LA church
A new 'lake' in the meadows by the river, complete with Mallard ducks
The high level of the river, and the new 'lake' in the meadows behind
Alder catkins and cones
Hazel catkins
Hazel catkins
Hazel catkins
Snowdrop
Flooded path in Lagden's Grove
Flooded path in Lagden's Grove
Redwing
Great Tit
Barnacle Goose
Barnacle Goose
Common Gull and Black-headed Gull
Common Gull - in winter plumage of grey streaked head and nape,
with yellow-green legs and a black band on the bill
Common Gull

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)